Flag of the country where ECRIS provides the UK criminal record check.UK criminal record check

So far there have been three routes for obtaining UK criminal record checks on individuals available, each of them having some significant flaws and barriers:

DBS check - you need to qualify under the Offenders Rehabilitation Act 1974 to use the service.

Basic Disclosure - the scope of the disclosed information is limited to unspent convictions from the last five years. Moreover, you need to involve the subject, as the the certificate is returned directly to that person.

Subject access request to ACRO database - it is not legal to use it for employment purposes any longer, as the enforced subject data request relating to employing or contracting an individual became a criminal offence under the Data Protection Act as of March 2015.

Up to now you had to strike a balance between a desired depth of the criminal history check and the channels you were legally eligible for. Luckily, you do not need to compromise anymore, as....

 

There is an alternative!

Thanks to the European Union directive on exchange of criminal records among EU member states, UK criminal records are now accessible through other EU member states' criminal record bureaus. The process is simple and does not infringe the UK laws.

As specialists in European Union criminal record checks, we have created a process that allows you to perform such checks on individuals in various EU member states, including United Kingdom. Simply send us a written application form completed by the subject and a scan or a digital picture of his/her ID. You do not need to register with umbrella bodies or follow timely procedures. Just complete the order form.  We take it from there!

 

Sources of criminal record checks in the UK:

 

ECRIS Report

 Basic Disclosure

(Disclosure Scotland, Access NI)

 DBS Standard Check

(Disclosure and Barring Service)

DBS Enhanced Check

(Disclosure and Barring Service)

ACRO Subject Access

(ACRO Criminal Records Office)
Source of information: Police National Computer (operated by the ACRO Criminal Records Office) Police National Computer (operated by the ACRO Criminal Records Office) Police National Computer (operated by the ACRO Criminal Records Office)
  • Police National Computer (operated by the ACRO Criminal Records Office)
  • Local police (optional)
  • Barred lists (optional)
  • Police National Computer (operated by the ACRO Criminal Records Office)
  • Local police (optional)
Covarage:  Nationwide Nationwide Nationwide Nationwide Nationwide
Information revealed in the certificate: All spent and unspent convictions Unspent convictions from last 5 years. Spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings  relevant to the job candidate's role. Spent and unspent convictions, cautions,  reprimands and warnings relevant to the job candidate's role. All spent and unspent convictions, ongoing proceedings, impending prosecutions, cautions,  reprimands, warnings.
Filtering of the convictions: None

(unless agreed with the client)

 Yes, depending on place of subject's or employer's residence Yes, depending on the role in connection to which the application is made. Yes, depending on the role in connection to which the application is made. None
Who can order the certificate: Anyone Only the subject Only the employers eligible for a  DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 Only the employers eligible for a  DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 Only the subject
Documents required:
  • Application form (including the consent form)
  • Proof of subject's ID (scan)
  • Application form
  • Proof of subject's ID (scan)
  • Proof of the subject's UK address (scan)
  • Application form
  • Proof of subject's ID (scan)
  • Proof of the subject's UK address (scan)
  • Application form
  • Proof of subject's ID (scan)
  • Proof of the subject's UK address (scan )
  • Application form
  • Two separate proofs of ID
Who receives the certificate first: Employer Subject Subject Subject Subject
Application for employment purposes: No limitations No limitations Only for eligible positions under the RAO Only for eligible positions under the RAO Not permissible  for employment under the Data Protection Act.
When you should choose this type of check:   You need to make an informed hiring decision or evaluate a contractor based on a comprehensive criminal record check.

You were satisfied with the ACRO subject access route, but you cannot use it any longer.

You need to show your criminal record certificate to your employer.

You need to comply with industry regulations obliging you to run a Basic Disclosure checks on your employees.

You need to run a minimal level of criminal record check permitted by law for general employment purposes.

 You need to comply with industry specific regulation obliging you to perform a certain level of the DBS check. You need to comply with industry specific regulation obliging you to perform a certain level of the DBS check. You cannot use this check for any employment related purposes (including contractor screening) as of March 2015.

 

Seems too good to be true? Well, there are two inconveniences for application of our service, we would like you to be aware of before you make your choice:

-The original application form needs to be signed by the subject and posted to us in hard copy.

-Second page of the application form is worded in Polish (English translation is provided in the form) due to the formal requirements of the National Criminal Register, where it is lodged.

 

Please note: If you are required by law to obtain a certain level of the DBS check or a Basic Disclosure our Report cannot be used as a substitute.

 

UK Criminal Record Check service specification:

 

Source of information: ACRO Criminal Records Office (the organisation providing information to Disclosure and Barring Service,  Disclosure Scotland and  Access Northern Ireland)
International information exchange department name:
(name appearing in the certificate)		 UK Central Authority for the Exchange of Criminal Records (UKCA-ECR)

Information revealed in the certificate:

Type of conviction

  • Several offences, felonies
  • Minor offences, misdemeanors
  • Juvenal punishemnt convictions
  • Traffic offences

Information on the penalty

  • Type of penalty
  • Penalty suspension, probation or parole

Covarage: Nationwide
Time scope: Indefinite
Certificate format: EU template
(The certificate is issued in Polish. Our report includes the original document and its English translation)
Average turnaround time: Check the turnaround time
Price: Check the price
Comments: The certificate includes unspent and spent convictions. Barred lists are not icluded in the search.
UK criminal record check provided by European Criminal Record Information Services.
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